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Ford Transit Custom Sport Bursts into SA – Pricing and Spec

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The latest addition to Ford South Africa’s Transit Custom line-up, here’s what you can expect from the Sport variant. Image: Ford Looking for a new or used Ford? Find it here with CARmag! Ford has expanded its local Transit Custom model range, with the automaker introducing the Sport derivative to our shores. Here’s how much you can expect to pay for the sporty van. Priced from R932 500, the (short-wheelbase) Transit Custom Sport ships with a four-year/120 000 km warranty, with the local arm of the Blue Oval brand adding that the sticker price includes a six-year/90 000 km optional service plan. Customers do, however, have the option of upgrading to service or maintenance plans spanning up to eight years or 165 000 km, while the warranty can be extended to seven years or 200 000 km. Ford Transit Custom Sport SWB 2.0L SiT AT — R932 500 As standard, the Transit Custom Sport, ahem , sports a derivative-specific body kit; a front grille, flanked by LED headlamps, incorporating
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Land Rover Defender 90 – A Modern Classic In The Making?

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The 21st-century Land Rover Defender flipped the script on what the moniker should be, but can it become as legendary as its forebears? Image: Land Rover SA Looking for a new or used Land Rover? Find it here with CARmag! The Land Rover Defender , a legendary off-roader known for its rugged durability, was reborn in the 21st century, blending the Defender’s iconic style with new-age technology and luxury. The modern-day Defender line-up consists of the Defender 90 (the two-door version), the Defender 110 (four-door), and the Defender 130 (an extended body for added seating or cargo). While each version shares the same off-road prowess, the Defender 90 is the most compact and agile of the trio. The Defender 90’s shorter wheelbase provides several advantages. It maintains the Defender’s hallmark off-road capabilities, while its compact dimensions enhance manoeuvrability, making it ideal for tight spaces. Especially when going off-road. Compared to its larger siblings, the Defender 9
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BMW CEO Warns EU To Rethink 2035 Fossil Fuel Ban

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Europe is dead-set on banning fossil fuel vehicles from 2035 onwards, but it could mean the end for the Union’s automotive sector. BMW CEO: Oliver Zipse Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag! Europe’s plan to ban the sale of new fossil fuel-emitting cars by 2035 is under increasing scrutiny, with BMW CEO Oliver Zipse warning that it could lead to the collapse of the continent’s automotive industry and increase dependence on China’s battery supply chain. Zipse has called for a reassessment of the European Union’s (EU) ambitious target, citing unsustainable subsidies and slower-than-expected electric vehicle (EV) sales as reasons for concern. Zipse, speaking at the 2024 Paris Auto Show on 15 October, highlighted that the planned ban on combustion-engine vehicles could lead to a “massive shrinking” of the European automotive sector. He emphasised that the current 2035 goal is no longer realistic and should be revised as part of a broader CO2-reduction strategy. He
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New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Unwrapped and Ready for 2025 Launch

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BMW has unwrapped the box-fresh 2 Series Gran Coupé. Here’s everything you need to know about the new generation… Image: BMW Looking for a new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag Compared to the first iteration, the box-fresh BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has increased in length, with the new model measuring 4 546 mm nose to tail (up 20 mm). The height, too, has increased (up 25 mm to 1 445 mm). The width and wheelbase have remained the same at 1 800 mm and 2 670 mm, respectively. Interestingly, BMW quotes different luggage capacities for the model line-up, with the 220 and 220d offering a claimed 360 litres of packing space, and the 218d and M235i derivatives’ boots capable of swallowing a claimed 430 litres. Image: BMW Related: New BMW 1 Series Headed to SA — We have pricing! As mentioned, the new 2 Series Gran Coupé is available in four flavours, with the model line-up comprising the 218d, 220d, 220, and M235i xDrive. Starting with the petrol-powered models, the 220 employs
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Volkswagen Polo v Polo Vivo: Which Hatch Fits You?

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The Volkswagen Polo and Polo Vivo have long been the top contenders in South Africa’s compact hatchback segment. But which one should you pick? Image: Volkswagen Group Africa Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag! Since their respective introductions to the South African market, the Volkswagen Polo (since 1996) and its more affordable sibling, the Polo Vivo (since 2010), have cemented their positions as the nation’s favourite compact hatchbacks. While the Polo sets the standard for tech-savvy features and premium finishes, the Polo Vivo delivers exceptional value and reliability for budget-conscious drivers. With both models receiving significant updates over the last few years, the Polo Vivo’s coming in August 2024, it’s time to see how they stack up as purchasing options for eager South African buyers. Image: Volkswagen Group Africa Design and Dimensions Visually, the Polo and Polo Vivo share Volkswagen’s signature DNA, but they cater to different
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The RML P39 Turns the Porsche 911 Turbo S up to 11 With 670 kW

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RML Group has whipped the wraps off the P39 40th Special Edition, a Porsche 911 Turbo S-based hypercar boasting 670 kW and a whopping 1 000 N.m of torque. Only 10 examples will be made. Image: RML Group Looking for a new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag! According to the RML Group , with the P39 40th Special Edition, it has upgraded every area (of the donor car) affecting performance, handling and ride quality. The result, the company says, is an “extraordinary” hypercar that is suited for not only the track, but also for everyday usability. The P39 40th Special Edition employs the same 3.7-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine as the Porsche it is based on — the current-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, for this special project, the RML Group has upgraded the boxer unit’s turbochargers and intercoolers, fitted new manifolds and catalytic converters, and equipped it with a tuned Inconel sports exhaust, among other items. As a result, the six-pot now produ
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VW Confirms SA-Status of 222 kW Amarok

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The Volkswagen Amarok was set to gain an all-new engine in its portfolio, but a change in plans put the South African introduction on hold. Image: Volkswagen Group Africa Looking for a new or used Volkswagen? Find it here with CARmag! After plenty of hype has been built around it over the last 12 or so months, Volkswagen Group Africa confirmed that it will not launch the 222 kW petrol-powered Amarok in South Africa. Initially confirmed for a debut in 2024’s second half, a spokesperson for the automaker’s local arm said to CAR that: “We have decided to put this engine on hold. We believe the current variants of our existing engines are suitable for our market.” The earmarked 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine would have been the most powerful in the local Volkswagen Amarok line-up, eclipsing the 184 kW produced by the Ford-built 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel mill. However, the 2.3-litre unit’s torque is substantially down on the V6’s (600 N.m), coming in at 452 N.m. The engine is
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